Australia and New Zealand Escorted Tours

17 Days: Join this stylish Premier Plus Fully Escorted Tour of Australia and New Zealand. Start in New Zealand with its natural beauty and spectacular scenery with highlights including a cruise along Milford Sound and the thermal regions of Rotorua. Your discovery of Australia starts in Sydney before traveling to the colourful sights of the Great Barrier Reef.

Highlights

• Cultural Touring Experiences
• Dine Around Dinner
• Take a guided tour of the Waitomo Caves
• Tour the geothermal sites of Rotorua
• Spend some time exploring Christchurch
• Cross New Zealand's Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train
• View spectacular Franz Josef Glacier
• Spend two nights in Queenstown and enjoy a special Dine Around Dinner
• Cruise majestic Milford Sound
• Cruise Sydney Harbour, taking in the Opera House and Harbour Bridge
• Explore the tropical city of Cairns
• Ride the Kuranda Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway over the rain forest
• Cruise out to the famous Great Barrier Reef
• Stay at Te Waonui Forest Retreat in Franz Josef
• Stay at The Hermitage, Mt Cook National Park, with guaranteed Mt Cook views
• Three nights at the The Sebel Pier One, Sydney
• Three nights at Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
• 14 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 12 Dinners
• Traditional Maori Hangi feast
• Sydney Harbour Luncheon Cruise
• Wine and dine overlooking majestic Sydney Harbour
• Land with air price includes all flights to/from Los Angeles including US/foreign taxes, September 11 Security Fee and Fuel Surcharges totalling US$770/CD$785
• Prices and itineraries are current at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice and will be confirmed at time of final payment.
• Airlines frequently change their prices as a result of fare increases and/or fuel surcharges so prices may differ when you book your travel and are not guaranteed until full payment is received.
• Contact us for prices with domestic air only and further details.

Day 1. Los Angeles

Board one of our selected evening flights to Auckland, New Zealand.

Day 2. In Flight

Cross the international dateline.

Day 3. Arrive Auckland

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for early check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour and visit Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World. Join your fellow travelers at our Welcome Dinner.

Day 4. Rotorua, Maori Hangi Feast

This morning you will journey to the Waitomo Caves for a tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Then continue to Rotorua, a region rich in Maori heritage. Tonight, take the short trip to Mitai Maori village, an authentic Maori village. Here you will enjoy a traditional Hangi feast of meat and vegetables cooked in the ground in a special earth oven. You will also be treated to a cultural performance of song and dance by the locals.

Day 5. Rotorua, Te Puia Thermal Reserve

Visit the Agrodome to see the Sheep Show and gain an insight into this farming industry. Then head to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see the power of geothermal energy first-hand. Watch as geysers erupt, mud pools bubble, steam hisses and warm water rains down. Here in the reserve there are more than 500 pools and 65 geysers, including Lady Knox Geyser. Many of these are active and intermittently send explosions up to 30 metres into the air. After an extended stay here the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore further or relax at the hotel as you choose. A Country Homestay option is available tonight.

Day 6. Rotorua, Fly to Christchurch

Fly to the garden city of Christchurch on the South Island this morning. On arrival, enjoy time at leisure to explore your new surroundings. Perhaps go for a wander through one of the many parks, or walk the path along the Avon River and discover why Christchurch is widely known as the Garden City. Check in to your centrally located hotel and settle in for the evening.

Day 7. Southern Alps, Franz Josef

This morning after breakfast, board the TranzAlpine train for one
of the top rail journeys in the world. Cross the Canterbury Plains, climb up into the Main Divide, then traverse spectacular gorges, valleys and the Southern Alps. At the end of this memorable journey, disembark and continue down the rugged West Coast to Franz Josef.
.

Day 8. Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner

Journey over Haast Pass and along the picturesque shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown. Tonight, you can choose to cruise on the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Watch the original steam engines in operation and learn about the history of the TSS Earnslaw. On arrival at the farm enjoy a special carvery dinner at the Colonel's Homestead. Or select one of the other many restaurants available on our Dine Around Dinner.

Day 9. Milford Sound Cruise

Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, absorb the majesty of Fiordland National Park on the coach journey to Milford Sound. On arrival, enjoy a memorable cruise along the full length of sound, passing beneath cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and towering mountains. Return to Queenstown by coach, or perhaps take an optional scenic flight back (own expense).

Day 10. Queenstown, Mt Cook

Enjoy some free time this morning before travelling to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia's highest mountain.

Day 11. Fly to Sydney, Australia

This morning, travel via Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch in the afternoon. Board a flight to Sydney. On arrival, check in to your centrally located hotel and enjoy dinner and a glass of wine overlooking majestic Sydney Harbour.

Day 12. Sydney Sights, Sydney Harbour Cruise, Opera House Guided Tour

This morning after breakfast, step inside the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House during a guided tour. Learn about this unique Australian landmark, which was designed by Denmark's Jørn Utzon in 1957 and is considered a truly remarkable piece of architecture. Then board a luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour, viewing the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House from a different perspective and dining on a delicious lunch. Later, discover the sights of Hyde Park and the famous Bondi Beach on a guided city tour.

Day 13. Sydney at Leisure

Enjoy this vibrant city at your own pace today. Perhaps go shopping, stop for lunch in one of the many cafés and restaurants available on the harbor, or relax in a park or on the beach. Alternatively, you could take an optional sightseeing tour to the Hunter Valley and discover some of Australia's fine wines, or visit the Blue Mountains and unwind surrounded by nature (all at own expense).

Day 14. Sydney, Fly to Cairns

After breakfast this morning, fly to vibrant Cairns. On arrival, check in to your hotel before the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore this bustling tropical city. You could head out to the shops and absorb the relaxed atmosphere in a café, indulge in a cocktail by the hotel pool or spend a blissful afternoon unwinding at the pristine sandy beach.

Day 15. Great Barrier Reef Cruise

After breakfast, take a guided cruise on a catamaran out to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The world's largest coral reef – it can be seen from space! – it is home to an abundance of marine life. Your cruise takes you to Moore Reef, where you can view the colorful coral and diverse range of fish and other sea creatures through the glass bottom of your boat. While out on the reef you also have the option to go for a snorkel or a swim, an experience you'll never forget. Afterwards visit your boat's underwater observatory before enjoying a tropical lunch of local specialties. Enjoy the evening at leisure to relax in your hotel or further explore.

Day 16. Skyrail, Kuranda, Wildlife, Cairns

This morning take a guided tour of Cairns before a ride on the scenic Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over lush rain forest to Kuranda. On arrival in Kuranda, visit a wildlife park and learn about native Australian animals. Perhaps even have your photograph taken with a koala (own expense). After seeing a performance by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers, take in the stunning landscapes as you travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway back through the rain forest to Cairns.

Day 17. Depart Cairns

Today after breakfast your tour concludes as you board your return flight to Los Angeles.